Apple has altered the default web search provider baked-in to iOS and macOS to Google, leaving Microsoft’s Bing out in the cold.
The Safari web browser has long offered Google results by default, a privilege Google has paid billions for. However, until now Siri, Spotlight on Mac and iOS Search brought back results from Bing.
Apple says the reason for the decision is to provide consistency within the operating systems, although it’s unclear whether Google is paying for the change.
Related: iOS 11 review
“Switching to Google as the web search provider for Siri, Search within iOS and Spotlight on Mac will allow these services to have a consistent web search experience with the default in Safari,” the company said in a statement (via TechCrunch).
“We have strong relationships with Google and Microsoft and remain committed to delivering the best user experience possible.”
So, from now on, when Siri users say “Hey, Siri, search the web for…” the results will be from Google.
The same applies when typing a request in the internal search functions in iOS and macOS that also offer web results.
Apple’s announcement is likely to coincide with the release of macOS High Sierra on Monday. iOS 11 arrived on September 19 for compatible devices.
The company says the change is coming today, so you should start noticing it soon.
Have you downloaded iOS 11 yet? Share your first impressions of the new operating system @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.